Constant observation of orchards (use of softwareformonitoringpopulations,the water needs of thesoil and as per the climate)

Maintaining biodiversity and natural balances by keeping grassy fields, creating hedges and building birdhouses in their orchards.

Giving priority to natural methods of tree protection (using natural predators such as ladybugs to fight aphids and “sexual confusion” to prevent pests from mating)

All other treatments are kept to a bare minimum, used as a last resort and in cases of absolute necessity.

Orchard Animals

Maintaining biodiversity in the orchard is essential to fight pests naturally. Growers can foster this ecosystem by planting hedges and/or installing birdhouses.

Discover the 6 animals found in Pink Lady® orchards:

The Bat

The bat is a skillful hunter, feeding on insects that can cause damage to an apple tree. Shelters are set up in orchards to attract them.

The Ladybug

Aphids attack apple trees and can lead to unappealing warping of the apples. Fortunately, the ladybug is a natural predator of the aphid.

The Hedgehog

An insectivore, the hedgehog eats the eggs and larvae of several insects that attack the apples. Its hearty appetite for insects helps protect the orchard.

The Chickadee

This bird is a big lover of larvae, caterpillars and codling moths. It plays such an important role in reducing the population of harmful insects in orchards that growers set up birdhouses to attract them.

The Bee

Essential for fruiting, the honeybee plays a vital role in the life cycle of the Pink Lady® apple. During the flowering season, for ensuring successful pollination, growers set up beehives near their orchards. It is during this phase that the apple blossom turns into a fruit.

The Codling Moth

This is the main pest that attacks apple orchards. Its larvae are commonly known as “apple worms”. To avoid the spread of this pest, growers use a technique called “sexual confusion”, which disorients the male codling worm and prevents it from mating with a female.

Did you know?

“Sexual confusion” is used to fight against the main pest that attacks apple trees, the codling moth. “Sexual confusion” involves setting traps that release pheromones (female hormones) in order to disorient and lure the male codling moth. As a result, the moths do not mate in orchards.

Energy Savings

Initiatives to reduce electricity consumption by installing solar panels, organizing thermal insulation programs and recycling the water used to transport apples are hence encouraged at packing houses.

Water is a precious resource. This is why our apple growers limit its use by carefully providing solely the quantity of water required for tree and fruit growth.

A Zero-waste Crop

Pink Lady® is committed to fighting food waste. Most of the crop is channeled towards consumer goods as fresh produce.

65 to 70% of the apples harvested are marketed under the Pink Lady® brand.

The smallest apples, perfect for children’s little hands and mouths, are sold under the PinKids® brand.

The other apples are used for cooking.

Apples for industry

Apples that do not meet the various specifications are used in food processing for high-quality products (juice, applesauce, etc.). Rotten apples are used for animal feed, compost or fertilizer.

Damaged apples

Apples deemed unfit for human consumption are used for animal feed, compost or fertilizer.